Bruins and Sabres Face Off in Game 1 of NHL Playoffs

The long-awaited NHL postseason has arrived in Boston.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 8:00pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting featuring vibrant neon brushstrokes and splatters of color that capture the raw intensity and movement of a hockey game, with the players' forms dissolved into unrecognizable shapes.The electric atmosphere of playoff hockey returns to Boston as the Bruins and Sabres battle in a high-stakes first-round matchup.Boston Today

The Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres are set to kick off their first-round playoff series tonight at TD Garden. After a year away from the playoffs, hockey fans in Boston are eager to see their team back in the hunt for the Stanley Cup. The Celtics also tipped off their own postseason earlier today, making it an exciting day for sports in the city.

Why it matters

The Bruins are looking to make a deep playoff run after a successful regular season, while the Sabres are hoping to pull off an upset and advance past the opening round. This series marks the renewal of a longstanding rivalry between the two Northeast Division foes.

The details

The Bruins finished the regular season with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, while the Sabres squeaked into the playoffs as a wild card team. Both teams will be looking to set the tone early in this best-of-seven series, which could feature high-intensity, physical hockey between the two bitter rivals.

  • The Bruins and Sabres will face off in Game 1 tonight at 7:00 PM ET.
  • The Celtics tipped off their first-round playoff series earlier today at TD Garden.

The players

Boston Bruins

The Bruins are making their return to the NHL playoffs after a one-year absence, looking to capture their first Stanley Cup championship since 2011.

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres are the underdog in this series, but will be aiming to pull off an upset and advance past the opening round of the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to be back in the playoffs and have the chance to compete for the Cup again. The guys have been working hard all season for this opportunity.”

— Jim Montgomery, Head Coach, Boston Bruins

“It's been a long time coming for us, but we're ready to give it our all against a tough Bruins team. We know we're the underdogs, but that's not going to stop us from trying to pull off the upset.”

— Kyle Okposo, Captain, Buffalo Sabres

What’s next

The winner of this series will advance to the second round of the NHL playoffs, facing off against the victor of the Maple Leafs-Lightning series.

The takeaway

After a year away from the postseason, the return of playoff hockey in Boston is sure to bring an electric atmosphere to TD Garden. Both the Bruins and Sabres will be looking to set the tone early in this heated rivalry matchup, with the winner gaining a crucial advantage in the series.